Alameda has some great kabobs going on at Q's Halal Chicken, which just celebrated its first anniversary.

The restaurant was previously a kabob shop, which was open a few years with multiple changes in ownership, before Q Samad and his father, Sam, who is also the head chef, took it over and began preparing Sam's recipes.

The place specializes in chicken kabobs, which comprise more than half of its sales.

Kabobs can sometimes be dry and overcooked, but not the versions at Q's, which feature large chunks of chicken breast that are deeply marinated, moist and tender.

Try the chicken kabobs as part of the combo plate ($13) that also includes ground beef skewers (shami kabobs), rice, salad and naan. Add a few falafel balls ($1 each), and it's enough to serve two.

Although good on its own, the falafel is even better as a burger garnished with hummus, vegetables, tzatziki sauce and feta ($6).

An unexpected addition to the menu is Afghani mantu ($10). The steamed ground beef dumplings are topped with yogurt and a tomatoey vegetable and ground beef sauce, then dusted with dried mint.

The casual counter-order atmosphere belies the quality of the food, which can be enjoyed outdoors or inside, where you can watch one of two big-screen televisions.